Physiological functions of the liver

Anatomy of the Liver

• Consists of 2 lobes divided by falciform ligament
• There is no known difference between the lobes

Liver

• Basic structural unit is – lobule, made of ramifying columns of hepatic cells.These hepatocytes are tunneled by a communicating system called – blood sinusoids which are lined by fenestrated endothelial cells. The endothelial cells contain Kupffer cells
• Portal vein and hepatic artery both empty into the sinusoids. Sinusoids open into central vein.

Liver

• From Aorta

• From GI tract

Biliary system

• Bile is formed in tiny vacuoles in hepatocytes and is discharged into bile canaliculus.
• Canaliculi bile duct at portal triad ( interlobular duct) interlobar duct rt & left hepatic duct joins cystic duct from gall bladder joins pancreatic duct opens at 2nd part of duodenum

Functions of Liver

• Synthetic functions: plasma proteins, clotting factors, enzymes(SGOT,SGPT), urea
• Metabolic functions: Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, synthesis of – lipoproteins-HDL,LDL,VLDL
• Bile secretion: ( bile salts&acids formation)
• Detoxification & protective
• Immunity –kupffer cells,Miscellaneous